Huskers Walk Away with 2-1 Victory

Lincoln ? The Nebraska softball team drew seven walks, including five in the decisive fourth inning that produced both of the Huskers’ runs in a 2-1 win over OklahomaState in front on 792 fans at Bowlin Stadium on Saturday.

 

The win improved NU’s overall record to 30-16 and evened its Big 12 Conference record at 6-6. OklahomaState fell to 31-17 overall and 6-8 in league play with the loss.

 

Sophomore right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (18-14), the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, threw well again, allowing just one run on two hits in a complete-game effort. She struck out 14, while walking only one. Her 14 punch outs were two shy of her career high and were a career high for a game of seven innings or fewer.

 

Marjorie Johnson (11-4) took the loss for OSU.

 

Offensively, NU managed four hits along with the seven walks, but left nine on base. Freshman Cassie Kleinsmith went 1-for-3 with a double, while junior Jessica Yoachim went 1-for-3 with an RBI and fellow junior Katie Linke drove in the game-winning run with a pinch-hit walk in the fourth inning.

 

The Huskers first threatened in bottom of the second when they loaded the bases with no outs. Senior Sheena Lawrick and junior Trisha Tannahill began the inning with back-to-back singles and sophomore Jamie Waldecker drew a walk, but sophomore Devin Porter, Kleinsmith and senior Kira Boerkircher each went down on strikes to end the inning.

 

NU threatened again in the third inning, getting runners on second and third with two outs, but was unable to push a run across.

 

Nebraska finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning after OklahomaState took a 1-0 lead in the top of the frame behind a solo home run from Stephanie Nicholson. Waldecker drew her second walk of the game to start the two-run inning for Nebraska. Porter followed with another walk and Boerkircher loaded the bases with one out by drawing yet another walk.

 

Following a strikeout, Yoachim drew a two-out bases loaded walk to score pinch runner KoKo Tacha with the tying run. Pinch hitter Katie Linke coaxed the Huskers’ fifth walk of the inning to score Porter and put NU ahead 2-1.

 

The two teams wrap up the series tomorrow at Noon. The game marks the final home game of the season for Nebraska and will be televised by NET Sports and College Sports Television. The Huskers’ three seniors will also be honored before the game and as part of Fan Appreciation Day, general admission tickets can be purchased for only $1 and the first 500 fans will receive a free bag of popcorn, courtesy of Colby Ridge.